Vacation Places in India - Top 10 Incredible Places to Explore

India is a diverse country blessed with a rich culture and heritage. From the Arabian Sea in the South to the golden deserts in the West, India has everything to attract tourists from the country and across the world. The landscape of India has countless destinations, from hill stations to places soaked with rich history and from cities bustling with chaos to off-beat destinations for relaxed and laid-back stays. Attractions in India include tropical islands, hill stations, monuments, temples, beaches and a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A trip to this vibrant land of astonishing contrasts and spectacular places of interest will guarantee a memorable experience. However, amongst the huge list of attractions, selecting the best travel destinations can be daunting. Don’t worry! Here, we present the list of top 10 best travelling places in India where you can plan your next trip.

Top 10 Vacation Places in India

You can pick and plan your trip with this list of the best holiday destinations in India.

• Srinagar, Kashmir
• Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• Coorg, Karnataka
• Gangtok, Sikkim
• Alleppey, Kerala
• Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
• Shillong, Meghalaya
• Havelock Island, Andaman
• Palolem Beach, Goa

Srinagar, Kashmir

Located on the banks of River Jhelum in Kashmir valley, Srinagar is not just the capital of the Jammu and Kashmir state, but also a magnificent representation of breathtaking mountains and striking landscapes. Also famous as the Heaven on Earth, Srinagar is one of the best tourist places in India to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating vacation. This stunning destination is ideal for a fun-filled holiday with family, a romantic getaway with a life partner, and a peaceful and laid-back place for solo travellers. Srinagar looks like a canvas filled with breathtaking sights of snow-clad mountains, colourful gardens, and glistening lakes. Here, you can visit Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Hari Parbat, Shankaracharya Hill, etc.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

One of the most culturally rich cities in India, Jaipur is visited by thousands of Indian and international tourists. Also famous as the pink city, Jaipur is actually the first planned city in India, world-famous for its stained jewels. There are many sightseeing spots or tourist attractions in Jaipur, reflecting the rich majestic past of the city. The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur, is an ideal place to experience the opulent lives of the Rajputana kings and their marvellous palaces, forts, and Havelis spattered all across. One of the best holiday destinations in India, Jaipur attracts people looking forward to enjoying a luxurious and rejuvenating trip. Some of the highlights of Jaipur include Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Birla Mandir, Nahargarh Fort, and Jaigarh Fort.

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is home to lush green forests, majestic rivers and lakes, breathtaking mountains, and old-world architecture. One of the best travelling places in India, Shimla, is a town that teleports one to the world of timeless natural beauty, pleasant weather, and marvellous views of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Shimla also has a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a 96-km long, single-track or Kalka-Shimla train route, offering mesmerising views of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains and surrounding villages. You can visit the stunning colonial architecture, Jakhoo Temple, the Ridge, Himalayan Bird Park, Kali Bari Temple, Mall Road, Green Valley, Kuthar Fort, Summer Hill, etc.

Coorg, Karnataka

The next on the list of the top 5 places to visit in India, Coorg, is a popular hill station at 1452 meters above sea level in Karnataka. Famous as the Kashmir of South and the Scotland of India, Coorg is home to lush green forests, verdant valleys, coffee production, diverse culture, and gushing waterfalls. Also called Kodagu, Coorg ensures a perfect and memorable vacation for an adventure seeker, a coffee connoisseur, a nature enthusiast, or someone looking forward to enjoying a relaxed getaway in the lap of nature. Some of the most famous attractions that you can visit in Coorg include Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Dubare Elephant Camp, Omkareshwara Temple, Mandalpatti View Point, etc.

Gangtok, Sikkim

One of the most popular hill stations in India, Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, situated at an elevation of 1650 m above sea level. While Gangtok gained popularity as a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the 1980s, it has now become one of the most visited tourist attractions in India due to its spectacular natural beauty and spiritual significance. A Buddhist haven, Gangtok is also known as the land of monasteries because of an infinite number of monasteries sprawling across the region. Gangtok is a base for several treks like Varsey/Barsey trek, Tholung trek and Dzongri trek.

Alleppey, Kerala

Famous as the Venice of the East, Alleppey or Alappuzha is known for gorgeous lakes, crisscrossed narrow canals, lagoons, paddy fields, and coconut palms. One of the best travelling places in India, Alleppey is a striking coastal town with the Arabian Sea on one side and rivers and canals or Alleppey backwaters on the other side. If you want to enjoy a peaceful and memorable vacation, a trip to Alleppey is the best option. With calm backwaters, speckled with thousands of houseboats, delicious food, and therapeutic Ayurvedic spas and wellness centres, Alleppey makes one of the top holiday spots in India. The major attractions here in Alleppey include Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad Lake, and Alappuzha Light House.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Situated at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level, Tawang is a gorgeous town in northeastern India. The mesmerising natural surroundings, frozen lakes, mountain passes, monasteries, waterfalls, and tribal culture make Tawang one of the most exciting vacation places in India. The major highlight of Tawang includes a 400-year-old monastery, which is one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries and an important site for Buddhist followers. A pristine and unspoiled destination in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is undoubtedly a paradise for nature and serenity lovers and a heaven for adventure lovers too. Make sure to visit the Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world, Shonga-tser Lake (Madhuri Lake), Urgelling Monastery and the Majestic Geshila Peak on your trip to Tawang.

Shillong, Meghalaya

One of the most beautiful travelling places in India, Shillong is heaven for nature lovers. The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is home to countless waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, mountains, striking golf courses, museums, and cafes. Located on Khasi Hills, this breathtaking hill station is surrounded by Diengiei Hills in the northwest and Umiam Gorge in the North. Shillong is often referred to as the Scotland of the East because of its resemblance with the Scottish highlands. Here, you can visit Umiam Lake, Krang Suri Falls, Elephant Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Mawlynnong Village, Laitlum Grand Canyons, and more.

Havelock Island, Andaman

Also called the Swaraj Island, Havelock Island is truly a paradise, situated away from the city crowd. It is amongst the best travel destinations in India. Spread over an area of 113 sq. km., Havelock is the prime attraction of Andaman, known for its unspoiled beaches and mangrove forests. Situated 70 km from Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Havelock Island is home to several sightseeing spots with a unique combination of white sand beaches, tall palm trees, and greenery of rice and paddies. Equipped with many recreational and pleasant amenities, this stunning island is a perfect destination for enjoying a fun-filled vacation in a calm and relaxing environment.

Palolem Beach, Goa

A part of several India tour packages, Palolem Beach is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Goa. Surrounded by a lush and thick forest of coconut and palm trees, Palolem Beach is an ideal place to unwind and relax in a laid-back environment. Here, you can indulge in many adventurous water sports activities, such as snorkelling, jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, and more. While the Dolphin spotting cruise is the highlight of this beach, some other attractions include Shree Dutta Guru Mandir, Saint Tereza of Jesus, Pantem – Colomb Beach, Bumipurush Temple, etc. With so much to offer, Palolem Beach in Goa is one of the top holiday destinations in India.

With this comprehensive list of the best travelling places in India, you can enjoy a fun-filled and memorable trip with your family and loved ones.